Sin, Death, and the Power of Prayer

Slide 1: Title SlideSin, Death, and the Power of Prayer1 John 5:14-17Slide 2: 1 John 5:14-17 (CSB)"This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him. If anyone sees a fellow believer committing a sin that doesn’t lead to death, he should ask, and God will give life to him—to those who commit sin that doesn’t lead to death. There is sin that leads to death. I am not saying he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin that doesn’t lead to death." Slide 3: Confidence in Prayer (1 John 5:14-15)

Parrēsia – Boldness, outspokenness, frankness

God invites honesty 

Slide 4:Psalm 22:1-2 (CSB)"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning? My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, yet I have no rest." Slide 5: God Is Not a Cosmic Vending Machine

Prosperity Gospel = False

Faith ≠ Guaranteed health & wealth

Paul prayed for healing—God said NO (2 Cor. 12:7-9)

2 Tim. 3:12 – Persecution, not prosperity, promised

Prayer = Relationship, not transaction

Slide 6: How Do I Know God’s Will?

Read the Bible – God won’t contradict His Word

Pray (James 1:5)

Get Godly counsel (Prov. 11:14)

Slide 7: Example: Who Should I Marry Slide 8: Keep Asking – Persistence in Prayer

Greek tense = Keep on asking, seeking, knocking (Matt. 7:7-8) (Luke 18:1-8)

Prayer isn’t one-and-done

Slide 9: God Hears Us

OIDA – Know with certainty

Even when it feels like silence, God hears

Slide 10: How God Answers

YES 

NO –

NOT NOW  

Slide 11: John’s Shift – The Sin Leading to DeathIf anyone sees a fellow believer committing a sin that doesn’t lead to death, he should ask, and God will give life to him—to those who commit sin that doesn’t lead to death. There is sin that leads to death. I am not saying he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin that doesn’t lead to death."Slide 12: John’s Shift – The Sin Leading to Death

What is the sin leading to death?

It is not loss of salvation

It is not the unforgivable sin (Matt. 12:31-32)

Physical death as divine discipline

Slide 13: Biblical Examples – Sin Leading to Death

Ananias & Sapphira – Lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11)

Corinthians – Took communion unworthily (1 Cor. 11:27-30)

King Saul – Persistent rebellion (1 Sam. 28)

Samson – Reckless disobedience (Judges 16)

Slide 14:  There is sin that leads to death. I am not saying he should pray about that. Why Wouldn’t John Encourage Prayer Here?

God’s discipline already in motion—Jeremiah with Israel

Some judgments serve as warnings—Ananias & Sapphira

Sometimes judgment = mercy

Slide 15: What Should We Do?

Intercede for struggling believers 

If anyone sees a fellow believer committing a sin that doesn’t lead to death, he should ask, and God will give life to him

Take sin seriously – maybe why "the line" isn't mentioned

Abide (stay close) to Jesus 

Slide 16: Application – What Do We Do With This?

Pray with confidence – Keep asking, seeking, knocking

Stay close to Jesus – Avoid dangerous sin patterns

Intercede for others – Pray for struggling believers

Trust God’s justice – If discipline comes, trust His wisdom

Slide 17: Conclusion – Final Thoughts

God disciplines because He loves

Prayer aligns us with God’s will, not the other way around

Take sin seriously, but live in faith, not fear

1 John 1:9 (CSB) – "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."